Marshall White
Reporter

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Call Marshall at 816-271-8646.

Soldier shares stories from war
by Marshall White
Saturday, July 4, 2009

One local family spent the week leading up to July 4th learning about the meaning of service to the country.
Virgil Myers, 90, stopped in St. Joseph for a family reunion after coming back from Luxembourg and a visit to sites where he fought in World War II. The widower from St. Joseph lives in Lakeland, Fla.
After the war, Mr. Myers didn’t talk about those years, he just went back to work for Quaker Oats. It wasn’t until about 2002 that he started opening up when a granddaughter asked him to talk to her history class in Florida.

Nixon vetoes helmet repeal
by Marshall White
Friday, July 3, 2009

Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a measure to repeal portions of Missouri’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law Thursday.
“In terms of lives and of dollars, the cost of repealing Missouri’s helmet law simply would have been too high,” Mr. Nixon said in a news release. “Keeping our helmet law in place was the safe and cost-effective choice for Missouri.”
The governor vetoed legislation that would have allowed people 21 and older to ride without helmets on all roads except interstate highways.

Salvation Army gets new leaders
by Marshall White
Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Salvation Army has assigned a dynamic couple from Pittsburg, Kan., to maintain and develop programs in St. Joseph. Captains Chuck and Dana Cook spent their first day on the job Wednesday at the Salvation Army’s community building on Messanie Street, between Sixth and Seventh streets.

Students get a taste of Guard life
by Marshall White
Tuesday, June 30, 2009

New citizen/soldiers gathered last week for a special Missouri Army National Guard drill that included a hop aboard a cargo plane flying to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. The 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard provided a C-130 Hercules transport to fly the troops.
Tim Cathey got to sit behind the co-pilot Sunday as the plane took off heading back to St. Joseph. The trip down and back was his first plane ride.
“The pilot took the plane up to 12,000 feet and you could look out the window and see the horizon where earth and sky meet,” Mr. Cathey said. “That was cool.”

Property of the Past, June 29, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, June 29, 2009

This week’s Property of the Past looks at some World War II items collected by a local man and donated to the National Military Heritage Museum. The man was Ray J. Baker. He graduated from Benton High School in 1942 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in November 1942. Mr. Baker qualified as a navigator in a 10-member crew for the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a heavy bomber. He was stationed at Chelveston Air Field in England, in the 305th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force.

Guard members heading to Sinai
by Marshall White
Saturday, June 27, 2009

Members of the Second Battalion, 130th Field Artillery are going to cool down in the desert where Moses once walked.
The temperatures will be in the high 90-degree range but with no precipitation. Also, there will be winds, so it won’t be as miserable as it is this June in Kansas, said 1st Lt. Jessica Walker, a battalion staff officer for the Kansas Army National Guard unit.
Soldiers from five companies that train in Atchsion, Hiawatha, Troy and other Kansas communities will make up the battalion, which has orders to report for duty in the Sinai desert in Egypt as part of a multinational peacekeeping force.

Civilians praise Guard's local impact
by Marshall White
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Community business leaders banded together Monday to form a public support unit to work with the 139th Airlift Wing.

Property of the Past, June 22, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, June 22, 2009

Property of the Past, June 22, 2009

Lights go out on tens of thousands
by Ahmad Safi by Marshall White
Thursday, June 18, 2009

A power outage hit St. Joseph Wednesday morning, spreading north into areas near Maryville, Mo., and south toward Gower. Kansas City Power & Light said the outage that started shortly before 10 a.m. affected about 48,800 customers in Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton and DeKalb counties.
Power for most residents was out for between one hour to 90 minutes.

Wing takes aim at renewable energy
by Marshall White
Thursday, June 18, 2009

The Missouri Air National Guard is leading the way in the development of solar power in Northwest Missouri. That was the opinion of Susan Brown, a representative for the Energy Savings Store, as she stood on the roof Wednesday of the 139th Airlift Wing’s Aircraft Engine Shop, where 135 panels had been installed as a solar array.

County Fair returns to Savannah
by Marshall White
Wednesday, June 17, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — Crowds are expected to flow into Savannah as the Andrew County Fair returns to the old fairgrounds on the east side of town.

City Council approves museum contract
by Marshall White
Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The St. Joseph Museums received a vote of confidence from the City Council on Monday.

Aircraft historian visits area for interviews
by Marshall White
Monday, June 15, 2009

A historian from the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Museum visited St. Joseph recently with three interesting individuals.

Property of the Past, June 15, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, June 15, 2009

Most people see a portrait of the nation’s first president every day, just by looking at a dollar bill. But not at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. When he was only 17, Rembrandt Peale painted an aging Washington, said Terry Oldham, the museum’s director. It was the last painting done while Washington was alive, Mr. Oldham said.

Making an impact on youths
by Marshall White
Sunday, June 14, 2009

In the 21st century age of computers, Facebook, iPods, video games, Twittering and text messaging, the Pony Express Council of the Boy Scouts of America thrives.
“As fast-paced and computerized as our world is today, the local Scout programs focus on basics and values of character, citizenship and leadership,” said Alan Franks, the Pony Express Council’s new leader.
Mr. Franks accepted the council job with 201 troops, Cub packs, Explorer posts and Venture crews in November. The council includes three Northeast Kansas counties and 15 Northwest Missouri counties, with more than 8,200 Scouts.

Chemical fire disrupts traffic
by Marshall White
Saturday, June 13, 2009

Vehicles flooded into Downtown Friday when Interstate 229 was closed because of smoke from a chemical fire on South Fourth Street.
Dispatchers scrambled four St. Joseph Fire Department companies after a 6:10 a.m. emergency call.
The fire was in a warehouse at 1302 S. Fourth St., said John Nelson, one of three Fire Department battalion commanders on the scene. Tons of herbicide chemicals called atrazine are stored in the structure, Mr. Nelson said.

Couple weds after extended tour of duty
by Marshall White
Saturday, June 13, 2009

Cupid combined with the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival several years ago, and the result was a wedding ceremony that started in Friday morning’s sunshine. Warrant Officer Michael Carpentieri and Rhea Williams began their wedding Friday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. The Rev. Sally Schwab performed the service for the couple, with a few close family members and friends in the garden. The newly married couple will return to this year’s jazz festival to celebrate their marriage with family and friends next Saturday.

Promising lead digs up few clues in Branson Perry case
by Marshall White
Thursday, June 11, 2009

Law enforcement authorities quit digging Wednesday for clues about the 2001 disappearance of Skidmore’s Branson Perry.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department began digging Tuesday in Quitman, a community of about 55 people, on the parklike area east of Missouri Highway 113 after the patrol’s drug and crime unit received a “credible tip,” said Sgt. Sheldon Lyon, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol.
“This is an ongoing investigation, and any time we receive a credible tip we’re going to investigate,” Mr. Lyon said.

Region cleans up from hailstorm
by Marshall White
Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Around Lake Viking Monday, it looked like fall came early as leaves covered roads and lawns after Sunday’s severe weather.

Economy strikes library budget
by Marshall White
Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The St. Joseph Public Library’s board of directors passed a reduced budget Monday but asked staff to come up with more cuts.

Property of the Past, June 8, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, June 8, 2009

Most folks have packed up their winter bedding, but at Robidoux Row Museum they’ve put some of their quilts on display.

139th Airlift Wing holds medal ceremony
by Marshall White
Monday, June 8, 2009

A Missouri Air National Guard drill weekend can have formal and not-so-formal aspects at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. Sunday began with men and women decked out in dress blue uniforms at the 139th Airlift Wing’s medals presentation.

Loss of funds on the radar
by Marshall White
Monday, June 8, 2009

The city’s airport manager has been scrambling through a morass of federal roadblocks to stop the loss of 18 percent of the airport revenue.
The city side of aviation at Rosecrans Memorial Airport often seems to be an even-paced program without too much excitement. Last October, Mike Hurst, the airport manager, negotiated a five-year contract with the Federal Aviation Administration to lease tower space.

Area residents remember deadly storm
by Marshall White
Sunday, June 7, 2009

The power of Mother Nature is something area residents always want to respect. Three people died 25 years ago when a massive storm system swooped across Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri on June 7, 1984, damaging many areas that hadn’t seen such devastation in a lifetime. In Hiawatha, Kan., people told Waynetta Sickles, 73, to take cover at a local store. The St. Joseph News-Press reported that she didn’t survive a heart attack that may have been brought on by fear of the tornado.

Not too ‘tattered,’ Guard gets new planes
by Marshall White
Saturday, June 6, 2009

The 139th Airlift Wing got a boost in April with two more Lockheed Hercules transport aircraft assigned at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. Now technicians are ensuring the new craft are in perfect working order.
The St. Joseph-based Wing has eight 1986 C-130H-2 models, all with between 10,000 and 11,000 flying hours, said Senior Master Sgt. John Bigham.
The used planes are a newer model C-130H-2.5 Hercules aircraft with fewer flying hours, said Chief Master Sgt. Steve Hampton.

A soaring accomplishment
by Marshall White
Thursday, June 4, 2009

The 241st Air Traffic Control Squadron reached a new milestone Monday when its first student completed a two-year advanced training program in 18 months.

No such thing as too many chiefs for Siemans family
by Marshall White
Thursday, June 4, 2009

Boy Scouts and Scout leaders who participate in the Pony Express Council’s tribe of Mic-O-Say, an honor society, met their newest chieftain last weekend.

Guard members deploy to Afghanistan
by Marshall White
Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Things are hopping at Rosecrans Memorial Airport this week. Families said goodbyes as a group of citizen-soldiers departed Sunday and Tuesday for duty in Afghanistan. This is another Operation Enduring Freedom rotation for the 139th Airlift Wing, and these troop movements will continue into August, said Col. Mike Pankau, acting Wing commander. Afghanistan tours usually last two to four months.

Accused triggerman appears in court
by Marshall White
Wednesday, June 3, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — The accused triggerman in a rural slaying sat slumped in a chair as he appeared in an Andrew County courtroom on first-degree murder charges.

Property of the Past, June 1, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, June 1, 2009

This is firetruck No. 10, which joined the St. Joseph Fire Department’s fleet back in 1948. For about 30 years, this American LaFrance, California style truck worked out of the South Side station at the corner of Illinois Street and King Hill Avenue, said John Nelson, a battalion chief and unofficial departmental historian.

Wing tops appropriations request
by Marshall White
Friday, May 29, 2009

Missouri’s commander of the Army and Air National Guard gave the 139th Airlift Wing a surprise announcement Thursday.

Man on bicycle robs bank
by Marshall White
Thursday, May 28, 2009

A man on a bicycle robbed a branch of the Nodaway Valley Bank on the South Belt Highway on Wednesday.

Murder-for-hire suspect lacks attorney
by Marshall White
Wednesday, May 27, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — A less-than-dapper defendant accused of participating in the Andrew County murder of Antonio Jose Maravilla-Vargas, 23, returned to court Tuesday.

Murder suspect in court
by Marshall White
Tuesday, May 26, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — A defendant accused of participating in the Andrew County murder of Antonio Jose Maravilla-Vargas, 23, returned to court Tuesday.

Summer reading programs fast approaching
by Marshall White
Tuesday, May 26, 2009

June begins the traditional summer reading programs for young people at Northwest Missouri libraries.

Property of the Past, May 25, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, May 25, 2009

For little children, he’s the feisty guardian of the Society of Memories Doll Museum. But for docents there, he’s just their friend.

Travelers look closer to home
by Marshall White
Friday, May 22, 2009

The American Automobile Association estimates that 27 million people will hit the roads during the Memorial Day weekend.
The approaching summer vacation time holds local and national promise.
AAA is estimating a 1.5 percent increase in travel from last year, said Mike Right, media vice president for the travel club.
“I think it will be a good travel season for trips of shorter duration and distances,” Mr. Right said.

Slaying suspect appears in court
by Marshall White
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

A father sat silently, watching the beginning of justice Tuesday as one of the men accused of killing his son had a court appearance.
Dressed simply in a white T-shirt with blue trim around the neck and sleeves, Eugenio Maravilla-Vargas sat in court with his arms crossed, trying to understand what he was watching. Mr. Maravilla-Vargas asked to meet with prosecutors after the hearing and is seeking a translator.

Audit petition riles board in Andrew Co.
by Marshall White
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — Andrew County Ambulance District board members were on edge but polite during a sometimes contentious meeting Monday.

Property of the Past, May 18, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, May 18, 2009

Since the 1850s, Episcopalians have had a church on the northeast corner of Seventh and Francis streets. After a fire, they built this Gothic Revival building in 1878. Architects designed and oversaw the building of five different Gothic Revival church buildings in St. Joseph, but this is the only one that survived, said David Lewis, a local banker. Today, it’s St. Joseph’s oldest Protestant church building in continuous use, Mr. Lewis said.

‘Color in the spaces’
by Marshall White
Monday, May 18, 2009

Two groups of high school seniors participated in traditional graduation ceremonies Sunday. It was graduation day for 25 members of St. Joseph Christian School and 59 members of Bishop LeBlond High School. Hundreds of friends and family members packed the graduation ceremonies Sunday at Word of Life Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Jocelyn Van Vickle, LeBlond’s valedictorian addressed more than 800 people attending the services at Guadalupe. She said the students would be leaving behind classes and challenges but remember the lessons.
“Our job now is to color in the spaces,” Miss Van Vickle said.

Police heat up enforcement of ‘Click It or Ticket’ effort
by Marshall White
Saturday, May 16, 2009

The St. Joseph Police Department announced it is joining with other Missouri law enforcement agencies Monday through May 31 in the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization to support Missouri’s safety-belt law.
Nearly one in four Missourians still fail to regularly wear their safety belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle, said Bill McCammon, traffic unit supervisor.
Failure to wear a safety belt can be fatal. A 2007 report said a driver in a Missouri traffic crash has a 1 in 32 chance of being killed if not wearing a seat belt. In cases where the driver wore a seat belt, the chance of being killed was 1 in 1,294.

Ready to lead
by Marshall White
Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Men and women wearing red sport coats came from Platte City, Maryville, Savannah and St. Joseph Tuesday night to honor one of their own.

Suspects in alleged murder-for-hire appear in court
by Marshall White
Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A familiar name will assist in the prosecution of four defendants accused of murder in an alleged contract killing.
“This is a part-time office and the state doesn’t want to get outgunned by the defense,” said Steven Stevenson, Andrew County prosecuting attorney.
His solution is Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd and Mark Gibson, an assistant prosecutor from Mr. Zahnd’s office.
“It made sense given my proximity and the understanding I have with regards to Andrew County,” Mr. Zahnd said.

Three Andrew County accused are arraigned
by Marshall White
Monday, May 11, 2009

A favorite son will come home to assist in the prosecution of a murder case involving four defendants. “This is a part-time office and the state doesn’t want to get outgunned by the defense,” said Steven Stevenson, Andrew County prosecuting attorney.

Savannah teen aces ACT
by Marshall White
Monday, May 11, 2009

Savannah High School has a scholar in its midst.
“It’s not that Zach Kerns couldn’t do it, but it just doesn’t happen,” said Melissa Ross, a teacher and coach of the school’s Quiz Bowl team. “I’ve known some very bright students who couldn’t do it.”
As far as Savannah High School officials know, Zach is their first student to earn a perfect score of 36 on the ACT. A perfect score at any high school is unusual.

Property of the Past, May 11, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, May 11, 2009

On a nice day, there’s a chance you’ll see the vehicle in this week’s Property of the Past parked outside the Patee House Museum. “It’s a teaser for what people can expect to see in the museum,” said Gary Chilcote, the director of the Patee House and Jesse James House museums.

Savannah joins water commission
by Marshall White
Sunday, May 10, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — The Savannah City Council stepped forward last week to become a full-fledged member of the Northwest Missouri Water Commission.

Students take a shot at camp
by Marshall White
Saturday, May 9, 2009

Kids arriving on school buses Friday shouted for joy when they saw the chow hall at Camp Geiger.

Ambulance district faces call for audit
by Marshall White
Saturday, May 9, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — The Andrew County Ambulance District hasn’t had a formal audit in the last 10 years, and one board member thinks it’s long overdue.